The 2004 NASCAR Nextel Cup season comes to an end this weekend atHomestead with 5 drivers with a chance at the Nextel Cup Title. I'll bewatching & taping the race with an open mind & will support whoever winsthe race & the title.

A Couple of Points to Remember:---------------------------------------1. Dale Earnhardt, Jr. is just 48 points away from that 25 points penaltyfrom Talladega becoming a major problem for NASCAR. He may have lostpoints at Atlanta & Darlington, BUT his fans will point to Talladega as where the title was lost. NASCAR will never be forgiven if Earnhardt, Jr.loses the title by less than 25 pts. Sunday.2. Jimmie Johnson & Jeff Gordon will go all out Sunday for Hendrick Motorsports. They have the motivation to win for Rick Hendrick.3. Kurt Busch cannot afford a bad race or car trouble. Busch has the pit crew that can get him positions if needed.4. Mark Martin will be the sentinmental choice but will need bad things tohappen to have to have a chance.

No bashing of whoever wins the title will come from me. Just passing along some thoughts & the possibilty that one big PR mess for NASCARcan still happen.

But, IMO, I don't think Nascar will have that much of a problem if the 25 points play into Jr losing. Even though a few fans will get upset, I think overall that most fans can be objective and will realize that it was not Nascar that caused him to lose. It was a combination of things.

JJ and JG do have motivation and one of them could pull it off. But with Jimmy winning 4 out of 5 and Jeff having problems lately, I think Jeff has a better chance to win it all.

KB has the luck with him this season and he just may have his best race yet as he has had problems in a few races. He seems to be more focused. And he does race smart.